§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he or his private office saw a draft of the letter to him dated 17 January from the chief executive of British Aerospace regarding the Westland affair before a copy of the letter was formally received by him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanFollowing the exchange in the House between my hon. Friend, the Member for Arundel (Mr. Marshall) and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16 January at column 1207, it was clear to both my Department and BAe that there was a possibility of a misunderstanding having arisen at the meeting which I held with Sir Raymond Lygo on 8 January.
Following contacts between my hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Malone), a discussion took place on the evening of 16 January between Sir Raymond Lygo and one of his colleagues, and representatives of my Department. My hon. Friends the Members for Arundel and for Aberdeen, South took part in these discussions.
As a result of those discussions Sir Raymond indicated his intention to write substantially in the terms of his letter of 17 January. When this was reported to me I indicated in turn that, were I to receive such a letter, it would be my intention to reply in the terms of my letter to Sir Raymond of 17 January.